Photos: Tensions rise between residents and immigration officers in Twin Cities
Two people sit in the street with their hands up in front of Minnesota State Patrol during a protest and noise demonstration calling for an end to federal immigration enforcement operations in the city, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Bystanders are treated after being pepper sprayed as federal immigration officers make an arrest Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Locher)
A family member reacts after federal immigration officers make an arrest Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Federal immigration officers prepare to enter a home to make an arrest after an officer used a battering ram to break down a door Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Rob Potylo, aka Robby Roadsteamer, wearing a giraffe costume he calls the "Jeffrey Epstein Giraffe", joins in a protest outside of the Bishop Whipple Federal Building, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)
Rob Potylo, aka Robby Roadsteamer, wearing a giraffe costume he calls the "Jeffrey Epstein Giraffe", is arrested by police from the homeland security rapid protection force, during a protest outside of the Bishop Whipple Federal Building, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)
Protesters try to avoid tear gas dispersed by federal agents, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026 in Minneapolis (AP Photo/Adam Gray)
Federal immigration officers get in a car as they prepare to deploy tear gas at a protest, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Students from Roosevelt High School protest during a walkout, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)
Monica Travis shares an embrace while visiting a makeshift memorial for Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer last week, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Federal immigration officers are seen outside Bishop Whipple Federal Building after tear gas was deployed Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)
Fireworks are set off by protesters outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)
CORRECTS FROM A PROTESTER TO A PERSON - A person is detained by federal agents near the scene where Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer last week, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)
A protester pours liquid on a tear gas canister deployed by federal immigration officers near the scene where Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer last week, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Locher)
A protester is sprayed with pepper spray by a Federal agent Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Minneapolis.(AP Photo/Adam Gray)
Sue Claude, 65, of Minneapolis, outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)
U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino, center, and other federal immigration officers stop at a gas station Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Columbia Heights, Minn. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)
The car of Patty O'Keefe, a U.S. citizen who was arrested while following federal agents' vehicles and briefly held at a federal facility in Minneapolis, shows glass on the floor after her front driver's side window was smashed in, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)
People confront a U.S. Border Patrol officer Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)
A poster depicting Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer last week, is displayed on a fence alongside other people who were killed by police, in Minneapolis, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)
Residents and activists shout at U.S. Border Patrol officers for blocking a street in Minneapolis, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)
A U.S. Border Patrol officer steps out of his vehicle after blocking a street in Minneapolis, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)
A woman confronts a federal immigration officer at the scene of a reported shooting Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Protesters are hit with projectiles at the scene of a reported shooting Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Law enforcement officers stand amid tear gas at the scene of a reported shooting Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)
A woman covers her face from tear gas as federal immigration officers confront protesters outside Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)
A man is pushed to the ground as federal immigration officers confront protesters outside Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Locher)
A protester carries an upside down American flag in front of federal immigration officers outside Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Federal immigration officers confront protesters outside Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Federal immigration officers confront protesters outside Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/John Locher)
As immigration agents police Minneapolis protests, experts warn of training gaps and the rising risk
Federal immigration agents deployed to Minneapolis have used aggressive crowd-control tactics. But law enforcement experts warn these measures are escalating risk.
Democrats had planned to campaign in the midterm elections on affordability and health care, but the aggressive immigration crackdown in Minnesota has scrambled the party's playbook.
A growing number of Republicans are pressing for a deeper investigation into federal immigration tactics after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot a man in Minneapolis.
Republicans are increasingly worried about immigration enforcement becoming a political problem in the upcoming midterm elections.
The Trump administration is scouting locations across the U.S. for new immigration detention sites, sparking protests and legal challenges.Â
Tom Homan says about 700 federal agents will be immediately withdrawn from the immigration operation around Minnesota. Roughly 3,000 federal officers are currently deployed in the state.
Federal judges around the country are scrambling to address a deluge of lawsuits from immigrants locked up under the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign.
